gorilla.cd

Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga

April’s Briquette Yield Sold!

22 Apr 2009 Filed under (Alternative energy, Charcoal) by Virginia @ 11:02 am

We have got great news to tell you! The entire April fuel briquette production has been purchased by our friends at WWF. 300 hundred sacks of fuel briquettes will be distributed to 6 IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps in Goma, through WWF’s emergency fund which provides the displaced people with a sustainable energy source. This program will go on for the following 3 months, and hopefully more funding will be available to continue until the end of this year. With WWF’s help, we will be able to keep purchasing the briquettes produced from those villagers who have been beneficiaries of our training and pressing machine kits.

Mercy Corps is in charge of the distribution, and together with Elisha (their environmental program leader) and her assistants from all 6 IDP camps around Goma, we went to the camp Mugunga 1 (1,700 families live there) to test people’s acceptance of the fuel briquettes. Until now, wood had been provided for their cooking.

The cooking demonstrations went very well and we had positive feedback from both the refugees and the ‘animateurs’ who Mercy Corps work with in the other camps. Fuel briquettes proved to work well both in our improved metal stoves and in Mercy Corps’ clay ones.

Jean Bosco and Elisha preparing the local dishes in the Mercy Corps’ improved clay stove

Roy: driver, Park Ranger, and great briquette collaborator, cooking the local dish fufu with a displaced woman from Mugunga 1

Food ready, everybody had a taste of what was prepared with the fuel briquettes!

An eager crowd waiting for their fuel briquette samples to take home

Of course 300 fuel briquette sacks is too little to provide for the whole refugee camp. So for the moment both fuel briquettes and wood will be distributed.

Remember that we are installing 100 new briquette machines every month to reach our target of 1,000 pressing machines on the ground by the end of this year. Therefore we are hoping to increase our fuel briquette production on a monthly basis, so we are aiming at selling 400 sacks in May, and 600 sacks in June.

Most importantly however, we need your help: if you haven’t seen already, last week we launched an appeal for donations to buy 100 more briquette presses and kits.

Thank you for all your support!

Update from Samantha: Thank you for all your donations! I have listed you all below:

Donations up to $50

Shawn McC,Jessica F,Nicole W,alberto g,John C,Abby F,alberto g,Miriam P,Meghan H,Andy B,Laura F,Emily H,Andrew G,Tina G,Tina G,Tina G,daniela c,Elizabeth K P,Vanessa B,Robin L H,Igor M,Rahula G,Zoe M,Judith G,Debbie C,Elizabeth R,Rosalie de M,Martine G,Stephen L,Karin K,Dudley S,robert b,Michelle W,Theresa S,david w,Maureen B,Suzannah B,Jeanine D,Pirjo I,Nora H,Jan D,Dana D,,Michelle H,chris n,Jennifer D,Stephen D,Sue D S,Andrew D,Carol Y.

Donations $51 to $100

John C,Cindy C,Kathy S,James C,Roaney G,Sean P,Vincent P,Jennifer M,John M,TINA C,Kathleen B, Alison W, Geoffrey T,Leslie S,Vitra G,Andrew P,Kumiko T,Patricia S.

Donations over $101

Ariane B, Laurette D,Eleanor,Happy Hollow,Avery J,maria susana p,Selina S,Michael P,Jan Mark L,Jean Luc P,Kristin K,Douglas J,Jacqueline T.

And a special thanks to Gary W for a check for $5,000.

Thanks to all. You can see we are getting closer to the target daily…

Share:
  • TwitThis
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Google
  • StumbleUpon
  • E-mail this story to a friend!

7 Responses to “April’s Briquette Yield Sold!”

  1. Pamme/Shell Beach, CA Pamme/Shell Beach, CA Says: 23 Apr 2009

    Fantastic news, Sam. Thanks for the encouraging update.

  2. junys junys Says: 25 Apr 2009

    ihappy to hear that and i think that all that people in the refugee camp will apreciate the fuel briquette and will continue to use it when they be back in their respective village…

  3. Fuel Briquette Program takes the lead in Goma « Project Kadutu Weblog Fuel Briquette Program takes the lead in Goma « Project Kadutu Weblog Says: 17 May 2009

    [...] briquettes are currently being sold in the local markets in Goma, and last month 300 sacks have also been purchased by WWF to provide refugees with an alternative energy source in the IDP [...]

  4. Fuel Briquette program update in Virunga National Park | gorillacd.org Fuel Briquette program update in Virunga National Park | gorillacd.org Says: 8 Jun 2009

    [...] production output is being sold. Both April and May’s stock was delivered to the five refugee camps in Goma (Bulengo, Mugunga 1, Mugunga 2, Mugunga 3 and Kibati). WWF is purchasing our monthly yield [...]

  5. rizik rizik Says: 14 Jul 2009

    MJPC blames the Congolese Government for Deteriorating Situation in East Congo

    “There is no excuse for missing to pay salaries to soldiers in lawless eastern Congo for six months”

    Following the deteriorating situation in east Congo, the MJPC called for the Congolese Government to pay the salaries of thousands of soldiers who have not been paid for over six months in east Congo, take swift action to enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant against Bosco Ntaganda and to hold accountable perpetrators of sexual violence against women for their acts.

    “Faillng to hold accountable individuals who commit war crimes and crimes against humunity continues to be the leading cause of widespread and systematic sexual violence acts against girls and women in the easten Congo” said Makuba Sekombo, Community Affairs Director of
    the Mobilization for Justice and Peace in the DR Congo (MJPC). Mr. Sekombo again criticized the government of Congo for not only the continuing failure to protect women and young girls from sexual violence, but also for “encouraging conditions that create opportunities for sexual violence to occur”. “There is no excuse for missing to pay salaries to soldiers in lawless eastern Congo for six months” said Sekombo.

    The MJPC has also renewed its call for the Congolese government to take urgent needed action to end human rights abuses in east Congo, hold perpetrators accountable and ensure reparation for the victims of sexual violence. The MJPC has been urging the Congolese government to compensate the victims of sexual violence in order to also help combat impunity in eastern part of Congo where sexual violence against women and children has been widely used as weapon of war for more than decade.MJPC online petition calling for for help to put pressure on Congolese Government to compensate victims of sexual siolence in Eastern DRC can be signed at http://www.gopetition.com.au/online/26180.html

    MJPC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working to add a voice in the promotion of justice and peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular in the East where thousands of innocent civilians, including children and women continue to be victims of massive human rights violations while the armed groups responsible for these crimes remain unpunished.

    For more information on MJPC and the activities, visit the web site http://www.mjpcongo.org. E-mail: info@mjpcongo.org or call Makuba Sekombo at 1 408 806 3644

  6. Ed Hardy clothes Ed Hardy clothes Says: 23 Jul 2009

    ihappy to hear that and i think that all that people in the refugee camp will apreciate the fuel briquette and will continue to use it when they be back in their respective village…

  7. Winning Over the Wise Women | gorilla.cd Winning Over the Wise Women | gorilla.cd Says: 25 Aug 2009

    [...] of both briquettes and the presses that make them is increasing rapidly. We have had early success selling briquettes in bulk for IDP camps, but now the main challenge is to compete with the charcoal markets of Goma that are the biggest [...]

Leave a Reply

  • Save Virunga Park

     

    Raised $ 2,011 of $ 15,000

    Donations: 53 from 6 February 2010

    Learn why donating is secure

  • DONATE MONTHLY

    Total: 0 $

  • DONATE ONE-TIME

    Total: $ 0

  • RECENT DONATIONS

    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      50 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • pirjo2 x Patrol Rations
      Pirjo
      30 $
    • Medical Kit
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • parnwell781 Briquette Stove
      Stephen P
      7 $
    • chrdanielsProtecting area no. 219 for one month
      Christine D
      25 $
    • thetrueoneProtecting area no. 125 for one month
      Karel V
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 132 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • 2 x Patrol Rations
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Protecting area no. 2 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Betul AOpen donation
      Betul A
      20 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      50 $
    • suzannemcdermottOpen donation
      Suzanne M
      10 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      100 $
    • Protecting area no. 174 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      35 $
    • Lou W Multiple items
      Lou W
      72 $
    • Lou WBriquette Program
      Lou W
      30 $
    • Lou WBriquette Program
      Lou W
      30 $
    • retrosurferProtecting area no. 101 for one month
      Retrosurfer
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • debbieelliottOpen donation
      Debbie E
      25 $
    • Medical Kit
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      100 $
    • Ranger Patrols
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      100 $
    • Support the Gorilla Orphans
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • Multiple items
      Unregistered Donor
      70 $
    • garrettOpen donation
      Garrett Z
      100 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Multiple items
      Unregistered Donor
      35 $
    • retrosurferOpen donation
      Retrosurfer
      50 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      100 $
    • harryvanProtecting area no. 58 for one month
      Harry v
      25 $
    • Ally RProtecting area no. 91 for one month
      Ally R
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 16 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Fuel for Patrols
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Patrol Rations
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Multiple items
      Unregistered Donor
      95 $
    • mcchristProtecting area no. 217 for one month
      25 $
    • 2 x Emergency Support to Ranger Widows
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      50 $
    • 1 Briquette Stove
      Unregistered Donor
      7 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      20 $
    • lisapazOpen donation
      Elizabeth P
      50 $
    • coreywProtecting area no. 187 for one month
      Corey W
      25 $
    • usgirlOpen donation
      Maureen B
      20 $
    • Multiple items
      Unregistered Donor
      45 $
    • maariaProtecting area no. 49 for one month
      Minna Maaria K
      25 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • brentonBriquette Program
      Brenton H
      12 $
    • Protecting area no. 50 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 59 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Support the Gorilla Orphans
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • Mary HOpen donation
      Mary H
      10 $
    • carolinenOpen donation
      Caroline
      50 $
    • De Zutter LProtecting area no. 31 for one month
      De Zutter L
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 116 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Patrol Rations
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • Protecting area no. 178 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Briquette Program
      Unregistered Donor
      12 $
    • Patrol Rations
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • Protecting area no. 83 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Support the Gorilla Orphans
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • pirjoProtecting area no. 54 for one month
      Pirjo
      25 $
    • rubicanteOpen donation
      Alex P
      40 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      30 $
    • Patrol Rations
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • Briquette Program
      Unregistered Donor
      30 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      50 $
    • zoelleProtecting area no. 57 for one month
      Zoe M
      25 $
    • Jane HProtecting area no. 63 for one month
      Jane H
      25 $
    • Multiple items
      Unregistered Donor
      150 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      150 $
    • Protecting area no. 10 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 203 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • beringeiBriquette Program
      Liz W
      12 $
    • jarubiOpen donation
      Juli&Family R
      10 $
    • shashi Multiple items
      Shashidhar K
      62 $
    • Sofie VProtecting area no. 30 for one month
      Sofie V
      25 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • jessicaProtecting area no. 20 for one month
      Jessica
      25 $
    • carolinenPatrol Rations
      Caroline
      15 $
    • Fuel for Patrols
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • Protecting area no. 65 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 1 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • Rebecca TProtecting area no. 70 for one month
      Rebecca T
      25 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      15 $
    • Open donation
      Unregistered Donor
      10 $
    • 2 x 1 Briquette Stove
      Unregistered Donor
      14 $
    • Protecting area no. 62 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • pirjoProtecting area no. 55 for one month
      Pirjo
      25 $
    • Salary Supplement for a Ranger
      Unregistered Donor
      40 $
    • Protecting area no. 66 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
    • pirjoProtecting area no. 61 for one month
      Pirjo
      25 $
    • Protecting area no. 112 for one month
      Unregistered Donor
      25 $
No administration fee is taken for the funds that are transferred through us so that the financial support, net only of bank fees, can go where it was intended in its entirety.
This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
EU